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The long‑anticipated crypto market structure legislation known as the CLARITY Act cleared a significant procedural step on Thursday, after the Senate Agriculture Committee approved its portion of the bill during a scheduled markup earlier in the day.

According to crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett, the committee voted to advance the measure by a narrow 12–11 margin along party lines. No Democratic senators supported the bill, marking a clear partisan divide as the legislation moves forward.

CFTC Authority Over Crypto Advances

The version approved by the Agriculture Committee would expand the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) authority over the crypto sector, granting it oversight of spot trading in digital commodities. However, the bill’s path is far from complete.

The agriculture panel’s proposal must eventually be combined with a separate section addressing the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) role, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Senate Banking Committee. Only after the two pieces are merged can the broader legislation move ahead in the Senate.

Thursday’s vote followed months of negotiations between Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman, a Republican from Arkansas, and Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey. 

Those talks failed to produce a bipartisan agreement, prompting Boozman to move forward with a Republican‑only version of the bill. He said the discussions stalled due to what he described as “fundamental policy disagreements.” 

Boozman argued that the CFTC is best positioned to oversee the spot trading of digital commodities. He said the bill offers a clear definition of what constitutes a digital commodity, supports innovation and technological development, establishes consumer protection measures, and provides the agency with the resources needed to carry out its expanded responsibilities.

Senate Panel Rejects Democratic Amendments

During the markup, the committee also rejected several Democratic‑backed amendments, all along party lines. Among them was a proposal from Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado that would have barred federal officials and their immediate family members from issuing or endorsing digital assets. 

Republicans also voted down two amendments introduced by Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. One sought to strengthen enforcement against fraud involving cryptocurrency ATMs, while the other aimed to prevent certain crypto firms from being eligible for federal bailouts.

With the Agriculture Committee’s approval secured, the CLARITY Act now advances to its next, more complex phase. Lawmakers must reconcile the CFTC‑focused provisions with parallel legislation under the Banking Committee’s oversight, while also determining whether bipartisan support can still be salvaged for a bill that could fundamentally reshape crypto regulation in the United States.

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

The XRP Ledger has taken another step toward expanding its financial functionality with the rollout of XRPL version 3.1.0. Shortly after the update went live, the network formally pushed its native on-chain lending feature into the validator voting phase, a feature that could boost the ledger’s capabilities and attract more institutional use.

A Technical Fix With Multiple Implications

The XRP Ledger has had major improvements with the latest release of RippleD (xrplD) v3.1.0. According to notes of the release, the latest release contains the fix of fixBatchInnerSigs and new amendments of SingleAssetVault and LendingProtocol, both of which must be enabled for the Lending Protocol to be fully usable.

Among the elements included in the v3.1.0 release, one stands out for its potential impact on lending protocols. The “fixBatchInnerSigs” amendment corrects a signature validation flaw in the batch transaction mechanism of the Ledger. Since lending operations often involve multiple steps, such as checking collateral, moving funds, and updating balances, there is a need to make sure that these actions run securely. 

The fixBatchInnerSigs amendment seeks to make these batch processes safe and dependable, clearing a technical hurdle that might have deterred larger lending applications until now. The new protocol will include fixed-rate, fixed-term credit at the ledger level, using Single Asset Vaults to isolate risk and replicate TradFi lending protocols.

As noted by the Ledger validator Vet on the social media platform X, the lending protocol will allow for native on-chain lending and borrowing for XRP, RLUSD, and any other issued asset on-chain. This approach would allow users and institutions to access credit using XRP or RLUSD, while reducing the complexity and additional risk layers that often come with third-party contract systems.

That said, the amendment has not yet been activated. It is currently open for validator voting, a process that requires more than 80% of trusted validators to vote in favor and maintain that level of support for two consecutive weeks before activation can occur. As of the time of writing, the approval threshold has not yet been reached, meaning there isn’t a defined timeline for the amendment to go live.

XRPL’s Continued Path Of Network Upgrades

Developers are always rolling in updates and amendments as part of efforts to bolster the XRP ecosystem and its real-world utility. Notably, these recent amendments come on the heels of five other amendments that were announced in December 2025. Node operators running versions earlier than 3.0 have been advised to upgrade to version 3.1.0, as remaining on older software will eventually prevent them from maintaining communication with the network.

Validators are still in the process of voting on the permissionless domains proposal. Current voting trends show validators are already voting for approval. If momentum holds, the amendment is expected to pass on February 4, 2026.

Despite a brief bounce, the price of Bitcoin is still below the pivotal $90,000 mark, which has become a significant resistance lately, capping upside attempts. With recent signals from two key indicators, the slight upward push by the flagship asset may just be the beginning of another major rally.

Key Bitcoin Indicators Are Converging

Bitcoin’s price experienced a bounce on Wednesday, gradually reigniting bullish sentiment across the broader crypto market. It is worth noting that two closely watched indicators are now starting to portray the same story of a renewed bullish market trend.

Specifically, the shift is being showcased by the Bitcoin Network Growth and Risk Index. As outlined by the Bitcoin Vector, an institutional market-grade professional, on the X platform, these two crucial indicators are beginning to move in alignment, which is capable of shaping the crypto king’s next price trajectory in the short term.

In the past, the combination of Risk Index and Network Growth has often turned out to be a powerful leading indicator for BTC. This convergence points to a change toward a more balanced market environment where rising risk signals are no longer overpowering growing network activity.

When these key metrics synchronize, it frequently denotes a period of transition that may come before more long-term pricing trends. Currently, the chart shows a significant decline in network growth (1) and a high-risk environment (2), which typically leads to sustained bullish trends.

With BTC traditionally being “late to the party,” the market may be looking at one of the most massive rallies ever recorded in years. In the meantime, these indicators provide a more comprehensive, data-driven understanding of the fundamental health of Bitcoin that goes beyond short-term price swings.

In another post, Bitcoin Vector shared that a significant bullish divergence is forming between BTC and the Relative Strength Index (RSI). The formation of this bullish divergence points to a possible shift in momentum beneath the surface.

Given that similar setups have historically generated over 10% returns on these timeframes, the expert claims that a return to the $95,000 price mark is becoming likely. However, the real signal lies in the confluence. If the market continues to increase in both Network Fundamentals and Liquidity while maintaining BTC Dominance, a major bullish reversal is probably about to begin.

BTC Whales And Retailers’ Activity Diverging

According to current market trends, Bitcoin retail investors are dumping their holdings while large holders or whales are steadily buying more BTC. CW, a market expert, noted that this divergence was observed ahead of the FOMC meeting. However, the brown whale is offloading a small portion of its BTC stash.

During the investors’ action, the BTC sell wall at the $90,000 level has vanished, whereas the sell wall at $86,000 is still active. Nonetheless, a new wall is developing at the $95,000 mark, and volatility will likely happen after 3 hours.

Суд Лос-Анджелеса приговорил 45-летнего гражданина Китая Цзинляна Су (Jingliang Su) к трем годам и десяти месяцам тюрьмы за отмывание денег и мошенничество с криптовалютами на $36,9 млн, украденных у 174 американских инвесторов.

OKX founder and CEO Star Xu took aim at a rival “industry-leading company” over the market dislocation tied to Oct. 10, arguing the episode did more than trigger a brief liquidation cascade — it inflicted “real and lasting damage” on crypto’s credibility with users and regulators.

OKX CEO Slams Binance As Crypto Still Digests Oct. 10

In a post on X, Xu said the industry has “underestimated the impact of 10/10,” framing the event as a trust shock rather than a routine volatility episode. While he did not name Binance or its founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) directly, the timing and context of the remarks and subsequent discussion on X tying Oct. 10 to a Binance-related incident made the target clear to many readers.

Xu’s central claim was that leading platforms should prioritize resilience and legitimacy, especially when scrutiny from regulators and mainstream institutions is rising. “An industry-leading company should focus on strengthening core infrastructure, building trust with global users and regulators, and protecting the long-term interests of the majority of crypto users, setting an example for others to follow,” Xu wrote.

“Instead, some chose to pursue short-term gains—repeatedly launching Ponzi-like schemes, amplifying a handful of ‘get-rich-quick’ narratives, and directly or indirectly manipulating the prices of low-quality tokens, drawing millions of users into assets closely tied to them.”

That critique broadens the Oct. 10 incident from a single failure event into a pattern: attention capture through high-risk token promotion and narratives, rather than a steady focus on market integrity. Xu argued that this approach turns exchanges into traffic machines optimized for “shortcuts,” at the expense of durable confidence.

This approach does not build an industry,” he added. “It erodes trust—and ultimately, everyone pays the price.” The post landed as parts of crypto Twitter were already revisiting Oct. 10 as a possible inflection point for recent market lull.

People have underestimated the impact of 10/10. The incident caused real and lasting damage to the industry.

An industry-leading company should focus on strengthening core infrastructure, building trust with global users and regulators, and protecting the long-term interests of… https://t.co/DIU57u8utU

— Star (@star_okx) January 28, 2026

X account CryptosRus cited a Cathie Wood’s interview where she described the last “2–3 months” as an “aftershock” from an Oct. 10 “flash crash” tied to “a Binance software glitch” that “forced ~$28B of deleveraging across crypto.” In that framing, bitcoin absorbed the brunt “because it’s the most liquid asset,” and the forced selling is “mostly done,” shifting the market’s focus back to cycle positioning.

Some industry figures responded by framing the dispute as another round in centralized exchange rivalry. Moonrock Capital founder Simon Dedic wrote: “OKX attacking Binance. One shady CEX attacking the other shady CEX for extracting even more value than they do. As long as this fight costs at least one of them market share, that’s a net positive for the industry.”

OKX attacking Binance.

One shady CEX attacking the other shady CEX for extracting even more value than they do.

As long as this fight costs at least one of them market share, that’s a net positive for the industry. https://t.co/nCFTz0Kinc

— Simon Dedic (@sjdedic) January 28, 2026

Others used the moment to contrast opaque venues with on-chain alternatives. The Rollup’s CEO Andy C said “Binance is crooked and opaque,” arguing that “Hyperliquid is open, permissionless finance for all.” Flood, CEO of Fullstrack.trade, went further, writing that crypto “will never have a truly great era and reach mainstream adoption as long as Binance is the dominant exchange.”

Binance is crooked and opaque.

Hyperliquid is open, permissionless finance for all. There’s one winner here. https://t.co/o1Mcx2augA

— Andy (@andyyy) January 28, 2026

At press time, CZ had not publicly responded to the allegations, while BNB showed no immediate market reaction.

Ежедневное количество валидаторов Solana опустилось ниже 800, вернувшись к ситуации 2021 года. Менее чем за три года их число снизилось на 65%. В начале 2023-го количество валидаторов в сети составляло рекордные 2500, напомнили эксперты издания The Block.

Долларовый стейблкоин USD1, выпускаемый семейной компанией президента США Дональда Трампа World Liberty Financial, менее чем за год с момента запуска достиг рыночной капитализации $5 млрд, став пятым по величине стейблкоином в мире.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has revealed that the USDT issuer has increased its gold purchases and plans to continue doing so over the next few months. This has prompted speculation that the stablecoin issuer is abandoning Bitcoin for the precious metal, though that is not the case. 

Tether To Keep Investing In Both Bitcoin and Gold

According to a Reuters report, the Tether CEO said his company plans to continue investing in Bitcoin and gold as its reserve assets. He stated that it was reasonable to allocate approximately 10% of their portfolio to BTC and 10%-15% to gold. The stablecoin issuer notably uses gold as part of the reserves for the USDT stablecoin and also to back its XAUT gold token, which has a market cap of $2.6 billion. 

Bloomberg reported that the USDT issuer holds approximately 140 tons of gold, according to Ardoino. The stablecoin issuer’s holdings are valued at around $24 billion, representing the largest known hoard outside central banks, ETFs, and commercial banks. In a recent release, Tether announced that it now ranks among the top 30 global gold holders, surpassing countries such as Greece, Qatar, and Australia.

The Tether CEO revealed that they have been buying at a rate of about one to two tons a week and plan to keep doing so for at least the next few months. At current prices, that equates to about $1 billion in monthly purchases. Despite the significant interest in gold, the USDT issuer has not abandoned its Bitcoin strategy. 

Tether purchased 8,888 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $779 million, in the fourth quarter of last year. The stablecoin issuer currently holds 96,370 $BTC($8.46 billion) in total. Based on these holdings, it ranks as the second-largest corporate Bitcoin holder, only behind Michael Saylor’s Strategy, which holds 712,647 BTC. 

The Long-Term Goal For Tether

During his interview with Bloomberg, Ardoino described Tether’s role in the gold market as similar to a central bank. This came as he said the stablecoin issuer is effectively becoming one of the world’s largest gold central banks. Their bullish outlook for gold appears to partly stem from the belief that America’s geopolitical rivals will launch a gold-backed alternative to challenge the dollar’s status as the reserve currency. 

Meanwhile, the Tether CEO revealed that they aren’t looking to only hold gold but also trade it, competing with banks in trading the precious metal. Ardoino stated that they need to be the best gold trading floor in the world to continue accumulating it over the long term. His comments come at a time when gold is reaching new all-time highs (ATHs) above $5,300. Meanwhile, Bitcoin continues to lag, trading below $90,000.

Ripple scored another courtroom win tied to XRP sales, after the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment against investors who alleged the company sold unregistered securities, ruling the federal Securities Act claims were time-barred by the statute of repose.

In a not-for-publication memorandum filed Jan. 27, 2026, a three-judge panel upheld the Northern District of California’s decision that the three-year repose period in Section 13 of the Securities Act had already run by the time the class action was filed.

Ripple Wins: Court Punts XRP Securities Claims

The case was led by Bradley Sostack, who purchased XRP in January 2018 on Poloniex. The underlying class complaint was filed later in 2018; Sostack was appointed lead plaintiff in 2019 and amended the complaint in 2020.

At the center of the appeal was when XRP was “bona fide offered to the public” for purposes of the Securities Act’s repose clock. The ruling sided with Ripple, pointing to early XRP distribution and trading activity tied to the XRP Ledger’s built-in exchange.

“According to the record in this case, Ripple was offering XRP to the public as early as 2013. It is undisputed that Ripple sold over 500 million XRP on the Ledger’s built-in digital asset exchange. Those offers were made ‘to the public’ even if only technologically sophisticated consumers could navigate the Ledger to purchase XRP.”

That framing mattered because Section 13’s statute of repose is unforgiving: once the three years run from the first public offering, later buyers can’t revive a federal Section 12(a)(1) registration claim by filing years afterward. The district court had reached the same conclusion in its June 20, 2024 summary judgment order on the federal class claims.

Sostack’s primary effort to avoid the time bar was to argue Ripple’s conduct in 2017, when the company began releasing its XRP holdings in monthly tranches, amounted to a separate, later offering (or effectively a new investment contract) that should restart the clock.

The panel rejected that attempt to split the timeline, emphasizing the nature of the asset itself and the absence of a factual dispute that the 2013 and 2017 activity should be treated as distinct offerings.

“But Sostack has failed to raise a material issue of fact that the 2013 offering and the 2017 offering were separate offerings. The nature of XRP did not change between 2013 and 2017; all XRP cryptocurrency remained fungible and interchangeable.”

With no separate-offering finding, the panel held the repose period began with the 2013 public offering, leaving the 2018/2019 filings outside the window and affirming judgment for Ripple. The decision is also procedurally narrow: because the district court’s Rule 54(b) certification covered only certain claims, the Ninth Circuit said it was limiting its ruling accordingly.

At press time, XRP traded at $1.88.

Крупнейший американский производитель электрокаров, компания Илона Маска Tesla сообщила, что в октябре — декабре не покупала и не продавала монеты из своего запаса биткоинов. На балансе фирмы находится 11 509 монет, как и месяцами ранее.

Bitcoin is trying to reclaim the $90,000 level as the market remains trapped in a phase of uncertainty and consolidation. After months of elevated volatility, price action has narrowed, reflecting hesitation from both buyers and sellers. This indecision has fueled a growing divide among analysts.

Some argue that Bitcoin is merely digesting prior gains, while others warn that the current structure points toward a continuation of the downtrend and a potentially bearish 2026. The lack of sustained upside momentum above key resistance levels has reinforced these concerns, especially as macro conditions remain fragile and risk appetite is uneven across global markets.

Adding weight to the cautious outlook, a recent CryptoQuant report highlights a notable shift in on-chain dynamics. Bitcoin’s Supply in Loss (%) has begun to trend upward again, a development that historically aligns with the early stages of bear markets.

In past cycles, this metric turned higher as price weakness persisted, signaling that losses were no longer confined to short-term traders but were gradually spreading to longer-term holders. This transition often marked a change in market psychology, from temporary pullbacks to more structural downturns.

Supply in Loss Turns Up, Raising Early Bear Market Concerns

In previous market cycles—2014, 2018, and 2022—the behavior of Bitcoin’s Supply in Loss (%) followed a consistent pattern. The metric began to trend upward well before the market reached its final bottom, while price continued to grind lower or remain under pressure. In each case, this early increase did not mark an immediate reversal.

Instead, it reflected a gradual expansion of unrealized losses across the market, as downside pressure extended beyond short-term traders and increasingly affected longer-term holders. True cycle bottoms only formed later, after Supply in Loss had risen substantially and broad capitulation had taken place.

At present, Supply in Loss remains well below those historical capitulation thresholds. From a purely quantitative perspective, this suggests the market has not yet reached a point of widespread distress. However, the importance lies less in the absolute level and more in the change in direction. The recent uptick indicates that losses are beginning to spread again, a condition that has historically coincided with transitions toward more defensive market regimes.

This shift challenges the narrative that the current weakness is merely a corrective pause within a broader bull trend. Instead, it raises the possibility that Bitcoin is entering a bear market structure, characterized by prolonged consolidation, repeated downside tests, and delayed recovery.

While this does not preclude short-term rebounds, the on-chain signal suggests that risks remain skewed to the downside until loss expansion either stabilizes or accelerates toward historical extremes, where durable bottoms have previously formed.

Bitcoin Testing Key Resistance Level

Bitcoin price action on this daily chart reflects a market stuck in consolidation after a sharp structural breakdown. Following the rejection near the $125,000 region in October, BTC entered a clear downtrend, marked by lower highs and lower lows. The aggressive sell-off into late November pushed price below the 50-day and 100-day moving averages, confirming a loss of bullish momentum and shifting market control toward sellers.

 

Since early December, Bitcoin has stabilized between roughly $85,000 and $92,000, forming a sideways range rather than an immediate continuation lower. This suggests that forced selling pressure has eased, but conviction remains limited.

The 50-day moving average (blue) continues to slope downward and currently caps upside attempts, while the 100-day (green) also trends lower, reinforcing overhead resistance in the $94,000–$96,000 zone. The 200-day moving average (red) remains well below the price near the mid-$70,000s, indicating that the broader cycle has not fully reset, despite the correction.

Selling volume peaked during the November breakdown but has since declined, signaling reduced participation rather than renewed demand. As long as BTC remains below the declining 50-day and 100-day averages, rallies are likely corrective. A sustained hold above $92,000 would be needed to improve short-term structure, while a breakdown below $85,000 would reopen downside risk.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

Бывший гендиректор PayPal, действующий гендиректор Lightspark Дэвид Маркус (David Marcus) назвал биткоин лучшим средством сохранения накоплений и составил прогноз курса первой криптовалюты на долгосрочную перспективу.

Компания Universal Digital Intl объявила о запуске первого в Объединенных Арабских Эмиратах (ОАЭ) стейблкоина, обеспеченного долларом США (USDU) и получившего официальное одобрение властей.

Активность, связанная с обходом международных санкций, выросла на крипторынке за год более чем на 400% в долларовом выражении, подсчитали аналитики компании TRM Labs. Отдельно специалисты выделили привязанный к рублю стейблкоин A7A5.

A new report released Wednesday by blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs shows that 2025 marked a record year for illicit activity flowing into the cryptocurrency ecosystem, with volumes rising sharply compared to the previous year. 

According to the findings, inflows from illicit entities into crypto surged by roughly 145% year over year, underscoring a dramatic rebound after several years of decline.

Crypto Crime Volume Jumps To $158 Billion 

TRM Labs estimates that illicit cryptocurrency wallets received approximately $158 billion in incoming funds in 2025, up from $64.5 billion in 2024. This represents the highest level recorded over the past five years. 

The surge followed a prolonged downturn in illicit inflows, which had steadily fallen from $85.9 billion in 2021 to $75.4 billion in 2022 and $73.3 billion in 2023, before hitting a low point last year.

Despite the sharp rise in absolute dollar terms, the report notes that illicit activity continued to account for a smaller share of the overall crypto market. 

As a percentage of total attributed on‑chain transaction volume, illicit activity declined slightly to 1.2% in 2025, down from 1.3% in 2024 and well below the peak of 2.4% recorded in 2023. Illicit entities received 2.7% of all incoming flows to virtual asset service providers in 2025, compared with 2.9% the year before and 6.0% in 2023. 

The report highlights sanctions‑related activity as a major driver behind the 2025 increase. Volumes linked to sanctioned entities and jurisdictions rose sharply, led by roughly $72 billion in inflows associated with the A7A5 token. An additional $39 billion was tied to the A7 wallet cluster. 

TRM Labs noted that this activity was highly concentrated, with the vast majority of sanctions‑linked volume connected to Russia‑linked actors, including platforms and entities such as Garantex, Grinex, and A7.

Illicit Activity Reshaped By State Actors

Geopolitical developments played a central role in reshaping illicit crypto activity during the year. According to TRM Labs, state and state‑aligned actors increasingly turned to crypto as a core component of their financial infrastructure rather than using it only as a last‑resort tool. 

While Russia‑linked networks were the primary contributors to sanctions‑related flows, the report emphasized a broader and more consequential shift: the growing institutionalization of crypto rails by other sanctioned actors around the world.

China continues to occupy a leading position in the illicit crypto landscape, particularly as a hub for illicit financial services infrastructure. TRM’s analysis shows that activity linked to Chinese‑language escrow services and underground banking networks has expanded dramatically. 

Adjusted crypto volumes associated with these networks grew from roughly $123 million in 2020 to more than $103 billion in 2025, reflecting their increasing scale and influence.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

Крипторынок постепенно восстанавливается после масштабного октябрьского обвала, становясь более устойчивым и дисциплинированным, заявили аналитики Glassnode.

Сооснователь сети Эфириума Виталик Бутерин заработал $70 000 за прошлый год благодаря ставкам в криптовалюте на блокчейн-платформе прогнозов Polymarket. Бизнесмен рассказал об этом в интервью изданию Foresight News.

42‑летнюю жительницу Ижемского района Республики Коми обвиняют в хищении 1,5 млн рублей. Россиянка хотела инвестировать эти деньги в криптовалюту, сообщили в прокуратуре.

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has shared its intention to move forward with the proposed cap on crypto exchange ownership despite concerns from industry players and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

FSC Backs Ownership Cap For Crypto Exchanges

On Wednesday, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon revealed that the regulatory agency is reviewing a proposal to cap major shareholders’ stakes in crypto exchanges at around 15%-20%.

According to The Korea Times, Lee stressed the need to limit the ownership stakes of controlling shareholders in crypto exchanges, claiming that the move is necessary to “align governance standards with the exchanges’ increasing public role.”

He argued that “excessive concentration of ownership” could increase the risk of conflicts of interest while undermining market integrity, noting that securities exchanges and other trading systems are subject to similar limits.

The chairman highlighted that existing regulations mainly focus on anti-money laundering and investor protection. The ownership cap proposal would be included in the upcoming Digital Asset Basic Act, also known as the Second Phase of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which is expected to serve as a comprehensive framework for the entire industry.

“Under the current system, virtual asset exchanges operate under a notification system that requires renewal every three years. The proposed shift to an authorization system would effectively grant exchanges permanent operating status,” Lee explained.

He emphasized that “this higher status means exchanges need governance rules that match their larger role and greater responsibilities.” As a result, exchanges would assume characteristics similar to public infrastructure.

A joint council representing domestic crypto exchanges, including Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone, has opposed the proposed cap, warning that it could hinder the development of South Korea’s digital asset sector.

Notably, major players like Song Chi-hyung, the chairman of Dunamu, the company that operates Upbit, and Cha Myung-hoon, the founder of Coinone, would be forced to sell significant portions of their holdings if the law is enacted.

The Democratic Party of Korea also expressed its concerns, observing that similar ownership caps are uncommon worldwide and could make South Korea’s framework inconsistent with global regulatory trends.

Lawmakers Set New Deadline For Digital Assets Framework

ChosunBiz reported that the DPK’s Digital Assets Task Force (TF) discussed key details of the Digital Asset Basic Act in a Wednesday meeting at the National Assembly members’ office building, attended by government officials.

According to the report, the ruling party’s members did not discuss the cap on crypto exchange ownership. Still, they revealed that they will introduce the framework before the Lunar New Year holiday on February 17.

DPK’s Lawmaker Ahn Do-geol said, “We plan to introduce the Digital Asset Basic Act before the Lunar New Year, and we hope that by then a plan agreed upon with the government as much as possible will be put together.”

Instead of the “unanimous consent system” proposed by the Bank of Korea (BOK), the task force settled on a consultative body to discuss stablecoin authorizations, comprised of the BOK, the FSC, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Financial Supervisory Service.

The task force considered that requiring unanimity for stablecoin authorization would slow issuance, while observers believe that the central bank’s proposal was “a way to control stablecoins.”

In addition, the minimum statutory capital for stablecoin issuers was set at 5 billion won, approximately $3.48 million. Nonetheless, the report affirmed that there has not been an agreement on the issuance of won-pegged stablecoins.

As reported by Bitcoinist, the BOK and the FSC have been clashing over the extent of banks’ role in stablecoin issuance. While the central bank has been pushing for a consortium of banks owning at least 51% of any stablecoin issuer seeking approval in the country, the FSC has expressed concerns about this proposal.

Lee Kang-il, a DPK lawmaker on the task force, asserted that “the 50%+1 share rule remains contentious because there is still no willingness to concede among government ministries,” but added that they have prepared a mediation plan and will “make decisions in a direction that serves the national interest overall and benefits the public.”

US authorities have launched an investigation into a potential breach involving government‑controlled cryptocurrency accounts. According to a Reuters report, the US Marshals Service confirmed in an email that it is examining a possible hack of government digital‑asset wallets. 

Social Media Drama Unveils Crypto Crime

The investigation gained public attention earlier this week after Patrick Witt, executive director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, weighed in on social media. 

On Monday, Witt responded on social media platform X (previously Twitter) to claims made by blockchain investigator ZachXBT, stating that he was looking into the matter. ZachXBT alleged that a hacker stole more than $60 million in late 2025, including funds traced back to government seizure wallets.

In a series of posts on X, ZachXBT accused John “Lick” Daghita, the son of Dean Daghita, the head of CMDSS, a firm that claims to supply crucial services to the Justice Department (DOJ) and the Department of Defense. The alleged theft came to light during a heated “band for band” dispute on the messaging app Telegram. 

During the argument, a young hacker began screen‑sharing his wallets while boasting about his holdings. Investigators later traced those wallets to more than $40 million in seized crypto assets belonging to the government.

ZachXBT’s findings went further, alleging that the individual known as “John Lick” was seen controlling wallets tied to more than $90 million in suspected illicit funds. 

Among the assets identified were cryptocurrencies associated with US government seizure addresses linked to the high‑profile Bitfinex hack, adding another layer of seriousness to the allegations.

Midterm Elections Countdown

While questions around government wallet security continue to unfold, the broader political and regulatory environment for crypto in the United States is also intensifying. 

CNBC reported on Wednesday that the crypto‑focused political action committee (PAC) Fairshake raised a total of $193 million by the end of last year, positioning it as a major force ahead of the upcoming congressional midterm elections.

The updated figure reflects two significant donations made in the second half of 2025, including $25 million from Ripple and $24 million from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto arm, a16z. 

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, another major supporter, contributed $25 million in the first half of last year, shortly before Fairshake announced it had $141 million available.

“With the midterms approaching, we are united behind our mission, with Fairshake continuing to oppose anti‑crypto politicians and support pro‑crypto leaders,” Fairshake spokesperson Josh Vlasto said.

This week, senators are negotiating the crypto market structure bill aimed at setting regulatory standards for the entire crypto sector. One portion of the legislation is expected to receive its first vote Thursday in the Senate Agriculture Committee. 

However, the section overseen by the Senate Banking Committee has been delayed after lawmakers called off a planned vote amid ongoing disagreements over the bill’s provisions.

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com